Wire tying machine



'.Iu1y19,193.2.A H. HARVEY l 1,868,141

WIRE vTYI'NG MACHINE 4 Filed June 25, 1930v 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.mi #www Q B Y r ATToRNExc Filed June 25, 1930 4 SheeLs-Sheet 2 A TTORNEJuly 19, 1932. H. HARVEY 1,868,141

WIRE TYING MACHINE Filed Jun@ 25, 1930 4 sheets-sheet 3l n 3f uINVENTOR. N HQI/M l.

BY f

l l l l ATTORNEYS.

July 19, 1932. H. HARVEY WIRE TYING MACHINE Filed June 25, 1930 LLSheens-Shee 4 IN VEN TOR.

- `Ffatented July 19, 1932 HERBERT HARVEY, F LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA iWIRE 'mme MAcHINE Application lerl June 25,

An object of this invention is to provide an automatic and continuouslyoperable hand or power driven wire tying machine, including successiveiyoperative tensioning,

I`y twisting, and cutting means, in which tho tensioning means is sopositioned when a wire, as distinguished from a flat band, or whatisfrequently termed flat wire, is looped around a box or the like andone end of the wire isipositively gripped against displacement, that thewire will be uniformly tensioned thruout the length of the loop ratherthan at local points in the loop.

It is a further object'to provide a wire l5 tying machine in which thetensioning means is positioned between the source of wire supply and theloop around the box or the like so that the tensioning means will gripthat portion of the wire adjacent the source of supply during atensioning operation, and cause the wire in the loop to be tensioned iwithout deforming, indenting, or distorting the wire as is done in othertypes of machine, thus permitting a return of the surplus ma- 2'5 terialto the source of supply for further use.

Another object is to provide, in combination with twisting and .cuttingmeans, a

. yieldable gripping member adapted to fixedly hold one end of a loop ofwire when the loop is extended around a box or the like preparatory to atying operation, and a tensioning mechanism on the opposite side ofthetwisting means from said grippin means and adapted to grip theportion of t e loop adjacent the source of supply, whereby when thetensioning means isr operated to a predetermined extent for tensioningthe wire of the loop around the box, the' gripping means will beautomatically operable when a predetermined tension of the loop has beenreached for renderin the twisting and cuttino means successiv operative.ther objects inclu e the provision of a single operating shaft rotatablecontinuously in one direction for successively operating the tensioning,twisting and cutting means; the provision of multlple twisting means,whereby a plurality of sections of the wire may be twisted indifferentdirections in .l forming a tie; and in general to provide a.

1930. Serial No. 463,693.

simple, compact, and effective light weight mechanism for the purposedescrlbed.

Other objects may .appearl as the description progresses.. f

In the accompanying drawings I have 5 shown a preferred form of myinvention, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the assembledmachine with the housing partially broken away yto clearly show theoperating mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan of the machine in the plane of line 2 2.ofpFig. l.

Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are,`respectively, sectional elevations on lines 33, 4 4, 5 5 and G5 6 6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation of the twisting means on line 7 7 ofFig. 6.

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are, respectivel ,sectional elevations on lines 8 8, 99 an 10-10 of To Fig-2, showing structural .details of the tensioningmeans. j

Fig. 11 is a transverse sectionof a Aclutch connected with the drivingshaft for selective association with the tensioning and twisting Tl',

means, taken on line 11 1l of Fi 2.

Fig. 12 is a sectional elevation on 12-.12- of Fig. 2.

The machine, as shown in its preferred form in the drawings is Generallyarranged .fr on a flat base 1, having a rib 2 extending partially aroundthe upper side of the base, overwhich a suitable cover 3 is adapted tobe sup.- ported for enclosing the machine. A single operating shaft 4 issupported on and above C the base l in a pair of main bearings 5 and 6,which are longitudinally spaced apart, and are formed on or suitablyattached tothe base. lSaid shaft is arranged for continuous rotation ina single direction for each wirey line ltwisting operation, and isadditionally journaled in a air of intermediate bearings 7 and 8 on saidase.

The shaft4 may be rovided with a suitable crank 9 adjacent the cai-'ings6, whereby the 95 .machine lmay be vmanually operated, or a suitableVower connection may be made with said sha '.by attaching the same to aflange 10 on said'bearing. 'The shaft'4 has an intermediate squared orsplined portion 11 and a 100 (Y reduced inner end portion 12 which isheld in the bearing 5.

A pair of driving gears l13 and 14 are arranged on opposite sides of thecentral bearing 7 for simultaneous rotation, and are loose on the shaft4. The portion 12 of the drivin gated transverse bearing 19 in which theshaft 20 is journaled, and the inner end of said shaft carries` abeveled gear 21 which meshes with and is driven by the tensioning pinion16.

`The outer end of shaft 20 carries a tensioning wheel 22, which is fixedto the shaft and is adapted to be rotated ,in a clockwise direction, asseen in Fig. 1, when shaft 4 is rotated in a clockwise direction, asseen in Fig. 6.

-A counter shaft 23 is mounted in end bearings 24 and 25,' and anintermediate bearing 26, which are spaced apart longitudinally. on thebase 1, and intermediate gears 27 and 28 are carried onsaidcounter-shaft between the bearings 24 and 26 and 25 and 26 respectively.Gears 27 and 28 permanently mesh with gears 13 and 14 respectively, andalso with twisting pinions 29 and 30 which are forwardly of and areslightly below the intermediate gears. The pinions 29 and 30 haveoutwardly extended hubs 29 and 30 on opposite sides thereofrespectively, by means of which they are rotatably supported instationary guides 31, 32 and 33, which are arranged as follows withrespect to said pinions: The central guide 33 is alined with the centralbearing 26 and rotatably supports the adjacent hubs 29 and 30 of thepinions 29 and30 respectively, while the bearing 31 supports theopposite hub 29 of pinion 29, and the bearin 32 similarly sup- 4portstheother'hub 30 of pinion 30, as shown in Fig. 7.

The guides 31, 32 and 33 are provided with Y rearwardly inclined slots34 of corresponding size and inclination, and the pinions 29 and 30 areprovided with corresponding slots 35 which register with the slots 34,as shown in Fig. 6, and are adapted to receive and support thetwooverlapping end portions 37 and 38 of a wire W. The width of' the `slots34 and 35 corresponds to the gage ofthe wire so that theoverlappedportions of the wire will prevented from twisting when thepinions 29 and 36 are rotated, as hereinafter described. y Y 1 Theguides 31,432 and 33 have forward extensions 31", 32', and 33 formingthe lower margins of the slots 34 therein which pro- ]'ect forwardly ofthe upper portions of' said guides and overlie an extension 39 of thease 1 so as to facilitate the positioning of the wires in said slots.

At the right hand end of the machine, as seen in Fig. 2, outwardly ofthe bearing 25,

I provide a lever 40 which has a bifurcated A end portion 41 pivotallymounted on a pin or screw 4,2 and formed with a recess 43 intermediatethe upper and lower sides 44 and 45. A self-adjusting grip 46is'pivotally mounted on the` pin 42 within-the recess 43 and is providedwith a forwardly extended rounded end 47 and a. .toothed heel 48, whichare adapted to engage the hight38 of the tire lV when the wire isextended around a box, bale, crate, or the like, preparatory totension'is placed on the bight 38, as hereinafter described.

It will be understood that the machine is placed on the top of a box orcrate with the flat base 1 resting upon the box, and the wire is drawnreasonably tight around the box so that the bights 37 and 38 are inoverlapping position, as shown in Fig. 1. The bights 37 and 38 are thenmoved rearwardly. together over' the portions 31', 32', and 33of guides31, 32 and 33, respectively, and into the aiy Spaced .ear. ends of theslots 34 of said guides and the slots 35 of pinions 29 and 30.

The bight 37 is then positioned in a V groove 51 .of the tensioninglrWheel 22 and is thread- 1615 ed under said wheel and between said wheeland a friction roller 52 which registers withthe groove 51.

The roller 52 a bolt 53 carried in a channeled lever 54, which in turnis hingedly supported at 55 on a lug 56 which is formed on or attachedis pivotally supported -on i to the hearing 19, as showin in Fig. 8. The

spring serves to hold roller 52 in operative.

engagement with the hight 37 of the .wire W so that the wire will befricti'onally held in the groove 51 of wheel 22.

On the opposite side of the fulcrum 55Ifrom I roller 52, the lever 54has anelongated arm 59 which extends forwardly over and slightly ginwardly of the bearing 24, as shown in Fig. 1, for purposeshereinafter,described The roller 52 may be manually disengaged from the tensioningWheel 22 by means of a lever 60 which is pivoted at 61 on arm 54 and hasa cam 61 with tworelatively right angular the tension of spring 57 willhold lroller 52y in operative engagement with the wheel'22.

The depression of lever 60, however, will move the face63`of the caminto engagement with the me `iber 64 and thus move roller 52 outwardlyfrom engagement with wheel 22.

In order to prevent the retraction 'of the tensionin wheel 22 during atensioning operation, `'provide a pair of detents 65 and 66 which aresubstantially similar and are plvotally mounted at 67 on the base 1adjacent the beveled gear 21. Said detents have pawls 68 and 69respectively which areI of slightl different length and operativelyengage t e teeth of gear 2l so as to permit the clockwise rotation ofsaid gear, as shown in t Fig. 1, but to prevent the counter clockwiserotation thereof.

' Said detents have heels,'as at 70, 70, urged by springs, as at 71, foroperatively holding the pawls 68 and 69 in engagement with the v gear21.

- yoke has s aced arms 75 and 7 5 at its'rearl Rearwardly of the machineI provide improved means for automaticall connecting the clutch 15 withthe tensioning' lever 40.v

Said means includes a yoke 72, which is pivotally mounted at 73 on anupright support 74 formed on or attached to the base l. Said extremityetween which a lever 76 and one end of a spring 77 are connected withthe yoke. The lever 7 6`is rigidly connected with thevportions 75 and 75by means of a pin `,78, and the hinge. yin .73 as shown in Fin'. b 7i iland 81 with inwardly lextended trunnions` `82 and 82 which rotatablysupport rollers 83and 83 respectively, and said rollers are adapted toengage a peripheral annularY `groove 84 formed on the clutch 15 for the10, whileV spring 1s connected therewi't by means ot a, in 79, as shownin'Fig. 2.

The yoke 72 as a pair of spaced arms 81 purpose of shifting said clutchon the shaft 4 for alternate engagement with the gears .Band 16. 1 Thetensioning arm 40, as shown in Figs.

5,2 and 3, extends rearwardly from its axis 42, and has an end portionturned at a l right angle toward Vthe'yoke 72 or to the left,

asin Fig. 2. The end 40 carries a hinge pin 85 to which the ri ht handend of a spring 77 is attached. A so a link 86 is pivotally mounted onthepin 85 and extends rearwardly therefrom and is provided with al slot86 which slidably engages a pin 87 iixed in the right hand end 76 ofthelever H76.. The end 76 is provided with a notch 76" for engaging one leg88 of a latch y89, which is provided with another leg 89 engaged by arm40, as hereinafter explained.

Latch 89 ispivotally mounted on a pin 90 1 and is tensioned by a spring92 supported by the pin 90. One end of a spring 93 of on boss 91 formedon or attached to the base greater power than spring 77 is supported by*the pin 85 and the other end is supported 70,

machine, as seen in Fig. 2, during a tensioning operation, the shaft 4is rotated by means of a crank 9 or otherwise, and the slack of wire Wis taken up by means of the tensioning wheel 22. As the tension ofthewire is increased the grip`.46 is moved in a clockwise direction, asseen in Fig. 2, so that the portion 48 of said grip will .tightly gripand hold the wire against the pin in the forward end of lever 40.. Whenthe tension in the wire W is suilicient to overcome the tension ofspring 93, lever 40 will be, moved in 'a clockwise direction, as seen inFig. 2, on

lever 40 will disengage the leg 88 from the notch 7 6" permitting theend 76 of the lever 7 6l to move toward the rear of the machine byreason of the pull exerted by spring 77 95 on pin 79.

The lever purpose of disengaging the clutch 15 from the 76 is moved asdescribed for the i tensioning pinion 16. It will be noted that as shownin Fig. 2, when said clutch is cn- Vgaged with the pinion 16, lever 76,link 86,

and gripping lever 40 are so positioned that the clutch will remainengaged with the ten.- sioning pinion until the wire'is furthertensioned. As the lever'40 moves in a clock- 105 wise direction, asseenin Fig. 2, against the combined tension of springs 93 and 77, the

' link 86 is'rotated on thepin 87 until the inner shoulder of lever 40strikesv the portion 89 of the latch 89, thereby swinging said latchin acounter-clockwise directiomas seen in F1 2. glightly subsequent to theoperation of the latch as described, the bottomy of the slot 86 in link86 engages the pin 87 and moves the 115 long arm of lever 76 outwardly,thereby disengaging the clutch from the tensioning pinion 16 thru itsconnection with the clutch'- yoke. v At the moment when the clutch isdisengaged from pinion 16, the desired tension in the wire to be twistedwill have been attained,`and saidtension will be preserved thru thelatch members 68 and 69 which engage the tensioning gear 21. When 'thelatch is disengaged from lever 76, the lspring 77 125 is eiective fordisengaging the clutch from pinion 16 and for engaging the same with.the driving pinion 13.

Following the above described operation,

' the lever 40 serves to hold the ,latch 89ydis- 130 i 4 rotated for apredetermined number of revolutions, depending upon the number of twistsrequired in each of the twisted sections of the wire W. y

By reference to Fig. 7, it will be noted that the hubs 29 and 30 of thetwisting pinions are provided with axial bores, as at 95, o't a diameterslightly larger than the twisted sect-ions 96 ofthe wire. While thepinions 29 and 30 are rotating, those portions of the bights 37 and 38of wire Wjvhic'h are held in the slots 34 and 3.5 of the guides andpinions respectively, will not he. twisted, but will alternate with thetwisted sections 96. It will he further noted that in order to preventthe twists 96 from pulling apart, the arrangement of the guides andtwisting pinions is such that alternating twisted sections of the wirewill be twisted in different directions. Thus, due to the strain on thewire W, any tendency to untwist one ot' the sections will becounteracted by a tendency to further twist another or other sections.

On the outer sidesI of gears 27 and 28, I provide cams 97 and 98respectively, which are fixed to the shaft -23 or to said gears, asshown in Fig. 2. Said cams have correspondingly formed arms 97 and 98respectively, which are rotatably arranged in the path of cutters 99 and100 respectively, and also in the path of detents 101 and'1'02respectively. Guides 31 and 32 are provided on their outer faces withcutter bars31 and 32 over which the beveled cutting edges 99 and 100 areadapted to be moved, for the purpose of cutting the surplus portionsfrom the bights 37 and 38- of the wire W. Thus the cutting .edffes 99and 100 are, respectively, positioned relative to the bights 37 and 38of the wire, as shown in Figs..4 and 5, one being slightly forward ofthe other.

The cutter 99 and the detent 101 are coaxially mounted in adjacentpositions so as to `freely turn on a pin 103 carried in the bearingmember 24 on the base,while the cutter 100 and the detent 103 aresimilarly mounted on a pin 104',-carried in the bearing member 25. Thecutter 99 and detent 101 are mounted between members 24 and 31, whilecutter 100 and detent 102 are similarly 'mounted bemembers serve toprevent the upward thrust of the cams, as seen in Figs. 4 and 5. Thede-n tents'lOl and 102 are urgedupwardly against the cam members 97 and98 b means of springs 106 and 107 respectively, orpreventing thedownward thrust of the cam members In order to prevent the restoration`of .i clutch 15 into engagement with the tensionf ing pinion 16 whenthetension in wire W is Vrelieved and before the over-twisting opera-1tion is completed, I provide a latch including a shoulder 108 on therear end of lever 40, which normally engages a lug 109 on the rear armof detent 102.

Subsequent to the cutting operation, and near the completion of theover-twisting operation, cam 98 engages the forward portion of detent102 and elevates lug 109 above the shoulder 108 so that lever 40 maymove t'o the left beneath the lug 109, as-shown in Fig. 9. The plate 108may be set into base 1, as shown in Fig. 5, which is engaged by theportion `110 of detent 10.1 for limiting the clockwise movement of saiddetent. Similarly the portion 108 of| lever 40 limits the clockwisemovement of detent 102.

The engagement of lugl109 with shoulder 108 prevents the retraction oflever 40 until the completion of the over-twisting operation. At thecompletion of the over-twisting operation the cam 25, engages the detent102 and elevates the lug 109 from its position of engagement with theshoulder 108, thereby permitting the restoration of lever 40, latch 89,link 86, lever 76, and clutch 15 to normal engagement with pinion 16 asshown in Fig. 2, preparatory to a subsequent operation.

.During a twisting operation the cams 97 and' 98 rotate in acounter-clockwise direcnear thel completion of a twisting operation,

the cam member 97 will engage the end of the tensioning roller lever 59so as to relieve the tension in the bights 3.7 andv38 and immediatelyfollowing this .operation the cam rnembers97 and 98 will similarlyengage the upper'ends of the cutters'99 and 100 respectivelyV so thatsaid cutters will be swung downwardly, as seen in Figs. 4 and 5 for cut:ting the surplus material from the bights 37 and 38 of the wire,whereupon there will follow a slight over-twisting operation of pinions29 and 30 suiiicient in extent to insure the movement of the cam members97 and 9 8 beyond the recesses 105 and 105 respectively. Said cams aresubsequently retracted and willl rest in said recesses until asucceeding operation is begun. )Immediately when the tension in the wireW is relieved, as hereinbefore described, the lever 40'will assume itsnormal position as described, and thru the engagement of the outer endof slot 86 with pin 87, will pull lever 76 back to its normal positionof engagement with latch 89, vwhich has been restored 'to its normalposition by the spring 92, all as seen in Fig. 2.

The restoration of lever 76 effects the restoration of clutch 72 tonormal en agement with the tensioning pinion 16. bviously the movementof the clutch 15 to the left, as seen in Fig. 2, thru the restoration oflevers 49 and 76, the linl: 86 and the latch 89 prepares the machine fora succeeding tensioninU and tying operation.

l'he cam members 97 and 98 are of'suiiicient width to cverlie and engagethe associated cutters and detents. The detents yield downwardly againstthe tension of the springs 106 and 107 respectively upon the initialmovement of the cams in a counterclockwise direction, as seen in Figs. 4and 5, to permit the cams to clear the detente.

Briefly, the operation is as follows: The machine is placed upon the topof a box, bale, crate, or lthe like, and the wire W is played oli ofv areel of wire and extended around the box with the bights 37 and 38 inoverlapping relation at the top. The two bights are similarly movedrearwardly into the slots 34 of the guides, and the slots 35 of thetwisting pinions. The bight 38 is drawn to the right until the endthereof abuts thea. wall 41 of recess 42 in the' lever 40, and isinterposed between the serrated heel 48 of grip 46 and the post or pin50. i

The bight 37 is threaded under and over wheel 22 in the groove 51 ofsaid wheel and beneath roller 52. The wheel 22 thus tightly grips thebight 37 and upon the rotation of the crank 9 and shaft 4 (the clutch1,5 being normally engaged with pinion 16) the wheel 51 is caused torotate ina clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 1, thereby drawing thewire tightly around the box. "The grip 46 positively holds 'the bight 38and the radual tighteninglof wireW causes the grip 46 to move slightlyin a clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 2, until the end of bight 38is positively held against displacement in the recess of lever 40. Apredetermined tension of the spring 93 obtained by the proper adjustmentof the thumb nut 94 holds the lever in normal position, as seen in Fig.2, and consequently the clutch 15into'engagement with pinion 16,- untila substantially greater tension in the wire W is attained, which issuihcientto uniformly tension the wire around the box. When the tensionof spring 93 is overcome, however, by a predetermined tension inthe wireW, lever 76 is automatically operated to disengage the clutch 15 fromthe tensioning means and to engage the same operatively with the wiretwisting means, .as hereinbefore described.

The sequence of operations is as follows: At the completion of thetensioning opera# tion the twisting operation is initiated and continueduntil a predetermined number of twists have been made in diiierentsections of the overlapping wire ends for positively tying theoverlapping bight's of wire together. Near the end of the twistingoperation the cam 97 is eiective for releasing the roller 52 fromtensioning wheel 22 so as to relieve the tension in the wire W, andfollowing this operation the cutters 99 and 100 are operated by cams 97and 98 for cutting the surplus material from the wire bights. At thecutting points, howevert`ne cams 97 and 98 have not reached their normalpositions of rest, and it is necessary tov further rotate the cams untilthey have moved beyond the positions shown in Figs. 4 and 5respectively, relative to the cutters and detents. Thus a slightover-twisting of the overlapping wire sections is eii'ected so that thetie may be readily released from the machine.

It will be observed that the ratio of the twisting gears is such thatonly one complete revolut1on of gears 27 and 28 is necessary to e'ect atwisting operation, while the twisting pinions may rotate for two ormore complete revolutins, as may be necessary, thus determining thenumber of turns in leach twist made.

When the-lever 40 is restored to normal position as described, themachine ma be retracted backwardly from the tie an removed from the boxor the box removed from beneath the machine preparatory to anotheroperation.

lt is to be noted that the only manual operations necessary to eect acomplete cycle of operations is the rotation in a continuous directionof the single shaft 4 by means of the crank 9, and the positioning ofthe wire bights in the guide and pinion slots. Thus the rotation ofshaft 4 by means of crank 9 or by means of a suitable power elementconnectedV therewith automatically eiiects the tensioning, twisting andcutting operations in sequence.

herein, it will be apparent that the portion of the Wire which isgripped by the tensioning drum 22 is frictionally held in the peripheralgroove of said drum in such a manner that the wire will not be deformed,indented, crimped, or otherwise impaired during a tensioning operation.The tensioning means being interposed. between the source of supply andthe loop used to bind a box or the like, permits the return of thesurplus material which is unusedat the completion of each tyingoperation to the source of supply for further use.

Furthermore, the tensioning of the Wire being accomplished at a pointadjacent the source of supply and the end of the wire remotest from thesource of supplybemg fixedly held by means of the grip 46, the entlreloop extending around the box or the like 1sv uniformly tensioned at allpoints rather than at local oints, as in other typesl of devices.

It is to e observed also that the connections between the tensioning andtwisting means are `automatic in operation, and said means becomesoperative only when the tensioning means has been operated suiciently toproduce the required tension in the loop around the boxor the like, thusinsuring the tight binding of the box and the twisting. of the tie whileunder tension.

A particular feature of this machine resides in the fact that when amotor is employed for rotating the drive shaft 4 said drive shaft `may`rotate continuously prior to orsubsequent to a twisting operation, andwhile the wire is being threaded into the machine preparatory to atwisting operation, or While the completed tie is removed from themachine subsequent to such an operation,.the cam 60 is operated todisengage the roller 52 lfrom the tensioning drum 22 so that the wiremay be threaded thru the machine4 and onto the tensionin 4 1s rotating.When t e wire is properly' drum while shaft threaded the member 60 isoperated to engage roller 52 with drum 22 for tensioning the wire. Thetensioning operation automatically follows the tensioning of the member60. In other words, the member 60 serves as a clutch for rendering themachine operative and inoperative when a wire is operatively positionedin-the machine.

What I claim is: y p

1. In a wire tying machine, the .combination of a rotatable operatingmember, a wire twisting means, a wire tensioning means, -a

\ gripping k.devicefor gripping and holding an end of said wire during atying operal tion, and connections between said gripping device and saidoperating member automati- .v cally operable when the wire is tensionedto a'predetermined extent, for rendering said tensioning meansinoperative and said twistlng means o erative. i

2. In a wire tying machine, the combination with twisting and tensioningmeansfof a. gripping lever cooperating with the tensloning means forholding the free end of a wire to be tensioned and twisted, an operatingshaft, ears on said shaft connected lrespectively with the tensionin andtwisting means, a clutch interposed etween said gears, connectionsbetween said clutch and said lever for effecting the engagement of theclutch with the tensioning means while the wire is being tensioned,means for preventing disengagement of .the clutch and tensioning meansuntil the wire is tensionedl to a predetermined extent, and meansautomatically operable when the wire is tensioned to a predeterminedextent for disen` -gaging the clutch from the tensioning means andengaging the same4 with the twisting means. v

A 3. In a wire tying machine, the combina-v nous, 1u

tion with wire tensioning and twisting means, of a continuously rotating'drivin shaft, gearsloosely mounted on said sha and connectedrespectively with the' tension' ing and twisting means, a clutchrotatably connected with said shaft and interposed between said gears, agripping'lever cooperating with said tensioning means for gripping andholding one end ofa wire to betensioned, a second lever operativelyconnected with said clutch, means for tensioning said gripping lever,means independentthereof for-tensioning. said second llever relative tothe gripping lever, a link connegting said levers, one end of said linkbeing pivotally 30 heldA on the gripping lever, the'other end of saidlink bein slidably-connected with the `second lever, t e tensioningmeans for said gri ping lever being effective for holding sai clutchnormally 1n engagementl with the tensioning gear, a latchnormally'engaging the disengagement of the clutch from the `the secondlever and normally preventing tensioning' ear, said gripping lever being*i operative w en a w1re 1s tensioned to a pre-Y determined extent thruthe operation of-said tensioning means for disengagin-g said latch lre-engaging. the same with thevtensioning means preparatory to atwisting operation.

4. In a wire tying machine, the combination with an operating member andtwisting means connected therewith, of means for gripping the wire to betwisted, a tensioning device including a pair of relatively adjustablemembers for engagement with the wire to be tensioned, and means forcontrollingv lthe operation of the machine thru the operation of saidrelatively adjustable members.

5.` In a wire tying machine, the combina'- tion of a tensioning andtwisting means, of a continuously o erable drivingshaft connected withsai tensioning andl twisting means, and means for instituting theoperation of the machine thru the operative connection of the tensioningmeans with the f wire'to be tensioned and twisted.

6. In a wire twisting machine, the combi-A nation of arotatable'operating shaft, tensioning and twisting means operativelyconnected therewith, a gripping device for griprping and holding the endof the strand of wire remotest from the source ofsupply when said wireis looped around a box or the like, connections between said gripping.tensioned to a predetermined extent.

7. In a wire tensioning and twisting machine, the combination oftensioning and twist-ing means', and means connected with the end of astrand of wire remotest from the source of supply for controlling theoperation of the tensioning` and twisting means.

8. Iii a wire tensioning and twisting machine, the combination of acontinuously rotatable shaft, a wire tensioning means, a wirev twist-ingmeans, a wire cutting means, a wire gripping means positioned on theopposite side of the twisting means from said tensioning means adaptedto grip and hold the end of .the strand of wire when looped around a boxor the like and operatively connected with. said shaft, and saidgripping means being automatically operable when the wire is tensionedto a predetermined extent for rendering the tensioning means inoperativeand for rendering the twisting and cutting means successively operative.

9. In a wire tensioning and twisting machine, the combination of acontinuously rotatable shaft, a wire twisting meansl operativelyconnected therewith, a wire .tensioning means, a wire gripping meanspositioned on the opposite side of the twisting means from thetensioning means, connections by which said shaft by its continuousrotation actuates the tensioning and twisting means, means associatedwith the tensioning means for engaging the wire, and means operable at apredetermined point in the operation of the twisting means for releasingthe wire from said tensioning means.

10. In a wire tying machine, the combination of a rotatable operatingmember, a wire tensioning means, a wire twisting means, a grippingdevice for gripping and holding an end of said wire during a tyingoperation, connecting means between said gripping device and saidoperating member, said gripping device being automatically operable whenthe wire is .tensioned to a predetermined extent to actuate saidconnecting means to render said tensioning means inoperative and saidtwisting means operative, means associated .with said tensioning meansfor gripping the wire thereto, and means operable at a predeterminedpoint in the operation of the twisting means for releasing` the wirefrom the tensioning means.

11. In a wire tying machine, the combina-v tion of a rotatable operatingmember, a wire tensioning means, a wire twisting means, wire cuttingmeans associated with said twisting means, a gripper device for grippingand holding an end of said wireA during a tying operation, connectingmeans between said gripping device and said operating member, l saidgripping device being automatically` op; i. erable when the wire istensioned to a pre; A`

determined extent to actuate said connecting means to render saidtensioning means inoperative and said twisting and cutting meansoperative, means associated with said tensioning means for gripping thewire thereto, and means operable at a predetermined point in theoperation of the twisting means for rev leasing the wire fromthetensioning means.

12.l A wire tying machine including the combination of a wire tensioningmeans, a wire twisting means, a drive means operatively engageable witheither of' said .tensioning or twisting means, and a control mechanisnioperatively associated with said drive means and adapted to grip thefree end of thev tie wire, and operable by thetie wire when the tension'thereon has reached a predetermined value to shift said drive means outof` engagement with said tensioning means and into engagement with saidtwistl ingmeans.'

13. A wire tyingmachinelincluding the combination of a wire itensioningmeans, a wire, twisting means, a` drive means operatively engageablewith either of said tensioning or' twisting means, a control mechanismoperatively associated with said drive vmeans and adapted to grip thefree end of the wire,

and operable by the tie wire when tension thereon has reachedapredetermined value to shift said drive means out of engagement withsaid tensioning meansv and into engagement with the wire twist-ingmeans, and means associated with the wire twisting means for actuatingsaid control means to' return the drive means into operative engagementwith said tensioningmeans and out of engagement with the wire twistingmeans.

14. A wire tying machine including the combination of a drive shaft, awire tensiorn,

ing means having a tensioning wheel, a wire twisting mechanism, meansoperable for normally retaining the wire tensioning means in operativeengagement with said shaft and also operable for disengaging saidtensioning means from said shaft and for engaging the wire twistingmechanism therewith when the tie wire has been tensioned to apredetermined extent, a roller associated with said tension wheel foryieldingly forcing the tie wire into frictional engagement therewith,means for retaining said roller 'in a retracted inoperative position,manually operable means for releasing said retaining means for actuatingsaid roller -into'engagement with the tie wire for yieldingly forcingsaid wire into frictional engagement with thetension wheel,y

ing means having a tensioningrwlieel, a wire the clutch actuating leverand the gripping twisting mechanism, means operable for normallyretaining the wire tensioning means in operative engagement with saidshaft and also operable for disengagin g said tensioning means from saidshaft and for engagingthe wire tensioning mechanism therewith when thetic wire has been tensioned to a predetermined extent, a rollerassociated with said tensioning wheel for yieldiiigly forcing the tiewire into frictional engagement therewith, means for retaining saidroller in a retracted inoperative position, manually operable e, meansfor releasing said retaining means for actuating said roller iii-toengagement with the tie wire for yieldingly forcing said wire intofrictional engagement with'the tension wheel, means automaticallyopera-ble by the twisting mechanism for returning said roller to itsinoperative position, and means associated with the tensioning means forretaining the tension in the wire during a portion ofthe twistingoperation.

16. A wire tying machine including the combination of a wire tensioningmeans, a wire twisting means, a drive means operatively engageable witheither of said tensioning or twisting means, a control means operativelyassociated with the drive means and normally retaining said means inoperative engagement with the wire tensioning means and adapted toretain the freeend of the tie wire aiidoperable thereby when the tensionthereon has reached a predetermined value to cause 'the drive means tobe disengaged from said tensioning means and engaged by the wiretwisting means, and a ratchet and pawl means adapted to permit rotationof the wire tension means in one direction to place aI tension upon thetie wire but locking said tensioning means against rotation in theopposite direction whereby the tension placed in the tie Wire will beretained when the drive means is disengaged from the wire tensioningmeans and during the wire twisting operation.

17 .'In a wire tyin machine, a tie wire tensioning means, a tie wiretwisting mechanism, a drive means, a clutch operatively associated withthe drive means, a clutch actuating lever operatively associated withthe clutch, a latch means for locking the clutch actuating lever in.position to retain the clutch in driving engagement with said tensioningmeans, a gripping lever adapted to engage the tie wire and operablethereby' for actuating the latch means for releasing the clutchactuating lever, a link pivotally connecting said clutch actuating andsaid gripping levers and arranged to permit a,

limited amount of lost motion therebetween, a first spring meansassociated with the gripping lever for yieldingly resisting movementthereof until a predetermined tension has been placed in the tie wire, asecond spring vmeans connected at its respective ends to ing lever, agripping lever latch means for locking the gripping lever, and agrippinglever latch release means associated with thev twistingmechanism and operative at the comple- `\tion of the twisting operationfor releasing t-anism, whereupon fthe'gripping lever latch means locksthe gripping lever to positively retain the clutch in driving engagementwith the wire twisting mechanism during the twisting operation, and uponcompletion thereof, the gripping lever latch means is actuated torelease the gripper lever whereupon the firstspring means returns theparts with a snap to. their ynormal position.

v 18. In a wire tying machine, a tie wire tensioning means, a tie wiretwisting mechanism, a drive means, a clutch operatively associated withthe drive means, aclutch actuating lever operatively associated with theclutch, a latch means for locking the clutch actuating lever in positionto retain the' clutch in driving engagement with said tensioning means,a gripping lever adapted to engage.

the tie wire and operable thereby for actuating the latch means forreleasing the clutch actuating lever, a lost motion link pivotallyconnecting said clutch actuating lever 'and said gripping levers, a rstspring means associated with the gripping lever :for yieldin'glyresisting movement thereof until a predetermined tension has been placedin the tie wire, a second spring means connecting the clutch actuatingand the gripping levers, whereby when a predetermined tension has beenplaced in the tie wire the gripping lever will actuate against theresistance of the first and second spring means to actuate the latchmeans to release'the clutch actuating lever, whereupon dueto the lostmotion of said link, the second spring means will act vto snap theclutch to disengage the tensioning means and intodriving engagement withthe twisting mechanism. v

19. In a wire tying macliine, a tie wire tensioning means, a tie wiretwisting mechanism, a driving means, a lclutch operatively associatedwih the drive means, a clutch actuating lever operatively associatedwith the clutch, a gripping lever adapted to engage the tie Wire, a lostmotion link pivotally connecting said clutch actuating lever and saidgripping lever, a lirst spring means associated with the gripping leverfor yieldingly resisting movement thereof -until a predetermined tensionhas been placed in the tie wire, a second spring means connecting theclutch actuating and the gripping levers, whereby when -a predeterminedtension has been placed in the tie wire thegripping lever will actuateagainst the resistance of the iirst and second spring'means and throughthe link to positively actuate the clutch actuating lever to disengagethe clutch from the tensioning means` whereupon due to the lost motionoi said link the second spring means will act to snap said clutch intodriving engagement with the wire twisting mechanism.

20. In a Wire tying machine, a tie wire tensioning means, a tie wiretwisting mechanism, a driving means, a clutch operatively associatedwith the drive means, a clutch actuating lever operatively associatedwiththe clutch, a gripping lever adapted to engage the tie wire, a lostmotion link pivotally connecting said clutch actuating lever and saidgripping lever, a first spring means associated with the gripping leverfor yieldingly resisting movement thereof until a predetermined tensionhas been placed in the tie wire, a second spring means connecting theclutch actuating andthe gripping levers, a means for locking the grippinlever, andmeans for releasing the said loc ing means whereby when apredetermined tension has been placed in the tie wire the gripping leverwill actuate against the resistance of the first and second spring meansand through the lost l motion link positively actuate the clutchactuating lever to disengage the clutch from the tensioning means,whereupon due to the lost motion of said link the second spring meanswill act to snap the clutch into driving engagement with the wiretwisting mechanism, whereupon the means will actuate for locking thegripping lever to positively retain the clutch in driving engagementwith the wire twisting mechanism durin the twisting operation, and uponcomp etion thereof the release means will be actuated to release thegripping lever, whereupon the with said twisting `mechanism during thetwisting operation and operable b the twisting mechanism upon thecompletion of said twisting operation for returning the clutch to itsnormal position.

22. A wire tying machine including vthe combination of a wire tensioningmeans, a wire twistin clutch slidal shaft and alternately engageablewith said tensioning means and said twisting mechanism, a clutchshifting lever associated with the clutch, .a latch means for lockingthe clutch shifting lever in position to retain the clutch in drivingengagement with said tensioning means, a gripping lever having at itsouter end means for' gripping the tie wire, and said lever beingoperative to release said latch means when the tension placed in the tiewire has reached a predetermined value, a link pivotally mounted at oneend to the inner end of said gripping lever while the other end of saidlink is slidably connected with said clutch shifting lever, a firstspring means associated with the gripping lever for yieldingly resistingmovement thereof until a predetermined tension has been placed in thetie wire, a second spring means connecting the clutch and the grippinglevers, a gripping lever latch means for locking said gripper leverinthe position said lever is moved when the tie wire has been tensioned toa predetermined value, and thereby locking the clutch in drivingengagement with the twisting mechanism, and a gripping lever latchrelease means associated with the twisting mechanism and operatedthereby at the completion of a twisting operation for disengaging theclutch from the twisting mechanism, and reengaging the same with thetensioning means.

' HERBERT HARVEY.

first spring means returns the parts with a snap to their normalposition.

21. A wire tying machine including the combination of a tie wiretensioning means,

a tie wire twisting mechanism, a drive means,

a clutch operatively associated with the drive means, a clutch controlmechanism operative for normally retaining the clutch in drivingengagement with the tensionmeans, and operable by the tie wire whentensioned -to a predetermined value to actuate said clutch out ofengagement with said tensioning means and into driving engagement withthe twisting mechanism, and operative for retaining the clutch indriving engagement i mechanism, a drive shaft, a' y mounted upon thedrive

